Lichaj And Wilson Fitness Updates

Forest have been without the services of a number of key players in recent months and this weekend must travel to a side scrapping for Sky Bet Championship survival.

Speaking to Forest Player ahead of the Tykes clash, the Reds manager revealed Eric Lichaj may soon become the latest name on a long list of absentees, while Kelvin Wilson could this afternoon make a significant step towards a return to the first team.

He said: “The news on Eric isn’t good. It looks like he’s got a pelvic problem, the extent of which we’re waiting to hear about from the medical staff. It’s another terrible blow for us. We had a good week’s training from him prior to the Wigan match and he and the medical people gave us the green light to include him.

“Unfortunately he felt it getting worse and worse as the game progressed and we had to make the change.

“Kelvin will hopefully get a good 60 minutes in today’s Under 21s match away to Coventry. That’s his first big step towards getting himself match fit.”

The manager also revealed David Vaughan’s recovery from a broken kneecap has been halted by an appendix operation, while two players have returned from international duty with minor injuries.

He said: “Rafik Djebbour has picked up a slight ankle problem, which we’ll look at today, and Simon Cox has got a stiff neck. We’ll try and get him right for tomorrow. Gonzalo Jara has come back fully fit.

“Andy Reid is also coming back from his hernia operation and Guy Moussi has returned from France.”